John Isner overpowered Bernard Tomic in four sets as the United States booked its spot in the Davis Cup World Group quarterfinals on Sunday.
Big-serving American Isner withstood a late Tomic rally to win 6-4, 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (7-4) and give his team an unassailable 3-1 lead in Melbourne, with the fifth rubber between Sam Groth and Jack Sock not played.
Isner, who saw off Groth in the opening singles match on Friday, was a class above right from the start as top-ranked Australian Tomic looked out of touch and out of sorts at Kooyong. Tomic had been hampered by a wrist problem heading into the first-round tie and Isner took advantage of his lethargic opponent.
Isner was eventually pegged back by Tomic, who emerged with renewed energy and focus to force a fourth set after the former saved four set points. However, that was as good as it got for Tomic as Isner prevailed in a tie-break, closing out the match with a service winner and ace — his 49th of the clash, without double-faulting.
The U.S. will now meet either Croatia or Belgium in the quarters, while Australia faces a World Group play-off in September.
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